DOE 2000. - Waste Isolation Pilot Plant - U.S. Department of Energy

WIPP RH PSAR DOE/WIPP-03-3174 CHAPTER 2
While no industrial activity occurs within 5 mi (8 km) of the WIPP facility, active potash mining is
occurring. These ores are extracted from the Salado formation but are brought to the surface further than
5 mi (8 km) from the WIPP. Other extractive activities are oil and gas production (as detailed in section
2.2.2). No extractive activity is allowed within the LWA with the exception of section 31 (the southwest
corner section of the LWA). There is currently one gas well producing from that section below the 6000
ft (1828.8 m) land withdrawal designation. This well was slant drilled from section 6 of Township 23
South. The other fifteen sections of the LWA are withdrawn to the center of the earth. Other permit
applications for slant drilling into section 31 from outside sections have been denied by the BLM.
Four potash mining operations located around the WIPP facility were contacted concerning their
anticipated growth. If these operations expand, there is a possibility that at least two new shafts will be
sunk in the approximate 2 to 5 mi (3 to 8 km) radius. Plans for expansion are not firm because they are
dictated in most cases by the market conditions for potash. Even if this expansion were to occur, it
would not pose a safety risk for the WIPP facility since surface and underground operations would be
restricted to areas outside the WIPP Site Boundary.
Except for the possible potash mining expansion previously discussed, no significant increase in future
economic activity is forecast within 5 mi (8 km) of the WIPP facility.
2.2-3 January 24, 2003